U.S. patent application number 16/244662 was filed with the patent office on 2019-06-06 for method and apparatus for vehicle valet control devices.
The applicant listed for this patent is FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. Invention is credited to Aaron DELONG, Vivekanandh ELANGOVAN, Timothy THIVIERGE, JR., John Robert VAN WIEMEERSCH, Brian WILKERSON.
Application Number | 20190168775 16/244662 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66547891 |
Filed Date | 2019-06-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190168775 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
VAN WIEMEERSCH; John Robert ;
et al. |
June 6, 2019 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE VALET CONTROL DEVICES
Abstract
A system includes a processor configured to place a vehicle into
a valet mode, restricting vehicle usage. The processor is also
configured to determine that a valet lag, having a wireless
connection to the vehicle, is in motion, while the vehicle is in
valet mode and activate an external indicator usable to find the
vehicle, responsive to the tag motion.
Inventors: |
VAN WIEMEERSCH; John Robert;
(Novi, MI) ; DELONG; Aaron; (Toledo, OH) ;
ELANGOVAN; Vivekanandh; (Canton, MI) ; THIVIERGE,
JR.; Timothy; (Carleton, MI) ; WILKERSON; Brian;
(Westland, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
66547891 |
Appl. No.: |
16/244662 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15832328 |
Dec 5, 2017 |
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16244662 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 25/33 20130101;
B60R 25/20 20130101; B60W 2520/10 20130101; B60R 25/102 20130101;
H04W 4/40 20180201; B60W 30/182 20130101; G08G 1/207 20130101; H04W
4/024 20180201; H04W 4/023 20130101; B60W 50/12 20130101; G08G
1/205 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60W 50/12 20060101
B60W050/12; G08G 1/00 20060101 G08G001/00; B60R 25/102 20060101
B60R025/102; B60W 30/182 20060101 B60W030/182; B60R 25/33 20060101
B60R025/33 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a processor configured to: periodically
seek a wireless signal from a valet tag associated with a vehicle
including the processor; and issue an alert to a predefined source,
responsive to failing to find the wireless signal.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to
store vehicle GPS coordinates each time the signal from the tag is
detected during the periodic seeking.
3. The system of claim 3, wherein the alert includes the GPS
coordinates saved the most recent time the signal from the tag was
detected.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to
determine a distance of the tag from a vehicle based on the
wireless signal, when the tag is detected.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to
determine a heading of the tag from a vehicle based on the wireless
signal, when the tag is detected.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to
approximate the location of the tag, relative to the vehicle, based
on at least distance and heading of the tag, determined from the
wireless signal.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to
issue an alert responsive to the tag exceeding a certain distance,
determined based on the wireless signal, from the vehicle.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the alert includes a distance of
the tag from the vehicle, determined based on the wireless
signal.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein the alert includes a heading of
the tag relative to the vehicle, determined based on the wireless
signal.
10. A method comprising: periodically seeking a wireless signal,
using a vehicle transceiver, from a valet tag associated with a
vehicle including the transceiver; and issuing an alert from the
vehicle to a predefined source, stored at the vehicle, responsive
to failing to find the wireless signal.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising storing vehicle UPS
coordinates at the vehicle, each time the signal from the tag is
detected during the periodic seeking.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the alert includes the UPS
coordinates saved the most recent time the signal from the tag was
detected.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining a
distance of the tag from a vehicle based on the wireless signal,
when the tag is detected.
14. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining a
heading of the tag from a vehicle based on the wireless signal,
when the tag is detected.
15. The method of claim 10, further comprising approximating the
location of the tag, relative to the vehicle, based on at least
distance and heading of the tag, determined from the wireless
signal.
16. The method of claim 10, further comprising issuing an alert
responsive to the tag exceeding a certain distance, determined
based on the wireless signal, from the vehicle.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the alert includes a distance
of the tag from the vehicle, determined based on the wireless
signal.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the alert includes a heading of
the tag relative to the vehicle, determined based on the wireless
signal.
19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, storing
instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the
processor to perform a method comprising: periodically seeking a
wireless signal, using a vehicle transceiver, from a valet tag
associated with a vehicle including the transceiver; and issuing an
alert from the vehicle to a predefined source, stored at the
vehicle, responsive to failing to find the wireless signal.
20. The storage medium of claim 19, the method further comprising
approximating the location of the tag, relative to the vehicle,
based on at least distance and heading of the tag, determined from
the wireless signal, and wherein the alert includes the determined
distance or heading of the tag, or both.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No.
15/832,328 filed Dec. 5, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The illustrative embodiments generally relate to methods and
apparatuses for vehicle valet control devices.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many hotels, restaurants and venues offer valet options for
people seeking to park a vehicle. Using a valet service commonly
involves turning a key over to a valet and allowing the valet to
drive away in a vehicle. This often gives the valet access to
contents in the vehicle, any driver personal data stored on a
vehicle computer, as well as the ability to drive the vehicle
virtually anywhere.
[0004] In consideration of the perceived risks of valet services,
vehicle manufacturers have undertaken efforts to limit valet
vehicle-accessibility. By putting a vehicle in "valet mode", the
driver can limit the access to vehicle interfaces and in some
cases, the drivable vehicle range and/or speed. The driver still
typically turns over the keys, however, and if the driver forgets
to disable the valet mode upon returning to the vehicle, the driver
may experience a limited period of restricted vehicle usage and/or
restricted vehicle compartment and system access (e.g., lockout of
interactive screens and/or locking of vehicle compartments).
[0005] Also, in the common model, if vehicle keys are lost or
stolen, the driver may find themselves without access to a vehicle
or a way to drive the vehicle home. The cost of replacing many
modern electronic keys can be expensive. Even if paid by the valet
service, the time and hassle involved can be very irritating to the
vehicle owner.
SUMMARY
[0006] In a first illustrative embodiment, a system includes a
processor configured to place a vehicle into a valet mode,
restricting, vehicle usage. The processor is also configured to
determine that a valet tag, having a wireless connection to the
vehicle, is in motion, while the vehicle is in valet mode and
activate an external indicator usable to find the vehicle,
responsive to the tag motion.
[0007] In a second illustrative embodiment, a system includes a
processor configured to periodically seek a wireless signal from a
valet tag associated with a vehicle including the processor. The
processor is also configured to issue an alert to a predefined
source, responsive to failing to find the wireless signal.
[0008] In a third illustrative embodiment, a computer-implemented
method includes determining that a valet tag is in motion after
having ceased motion for a predetermined period of time. The method
also includes determining that a vehicle is in a valet mode,
restricting vehicle functionality and providing a visual or audible
indicator, usable to find the vehicle from a location exterior to
the vehicle, responsive to determining that the tag is in motion
and that the vehicle is in valet mode.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative vehicle computing system;
[0010] FIG. 2 shows an illustrative process for tag request
handling;
[0011] FIG. 3 shows an illustrative tag control process;
[0012] FIG. 4A shows an illustrative tag tracking process;
[0013] FIG. 5 shows an illustrative valet mode adjustment process;
and
[0014] FIG. 6 shows an illustrative vehicle-location process.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein;
however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are
merely illustrative and may be embodied in various and alternative
forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may
be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular
components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details
disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely
as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the claimed subject matter.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an example block topology for a vehicle
based computing system (VCS) for a vehicle 31. An example of such a
vehicle-based computing system 1 is the SYNC system manufactured by
THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. A vehicle enabled with a vehicle-based
computing system may contain a visual driver zone interface 4
located in the vehicle. The user may also be able to interact with
the interface if it is provided, tear example, with a touch
sensitive screen. In another illustrative embodiment, the
interaction occurs through, button presses, spoken dialog system
with automatic speech recognition and speech synthesis.
[0017] In the illustrative embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1, a
processor 3 controls at least some portion of the operation of the
vehicle-based computing system. Provided within the vehicle, the
processor allows onboard processing of commands and routines.
Further, the processor is connected to both non-persistent 5 and
persistent storage 7. In this illustrative embodiment, the
non-persistent storage is random access memory (RAM) and the
persistent storage is a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory. In
general, persistent (non-transitory) memory can include all forms
of memory that maintain data when a computer or other device is
powered down. These include, but are not limited to, HDDs, CIDs,
DVDs, magnetic tapes, solid state drives, portable USB drives and
any other suitable form of persistent memory.
[0018] The processor is also provided with a number of different
inputs allowing the user to interface with the processor. In this
illustrative embodiment, a microphone 29, an auxiliary input 25
(for input 33), a USB input 23, a GPS input 24, screen 4, which may
be a touchscreen display, and a BLUETOOTH input 15 are all
provided. An input selector 51 is also provided, to allow a user to
swap between various inputs. Input to both the microphone and the
auxiliary connector is converted from analog to digital by a
converter 27 before being passed to the processor. Although not
shown, numerous of the vehicle components and auxiliary components
in communication with the VCS may use a vehicle network (such as,
but not limited to, a CAN bus) to pass data to and from the VCS (or
components thereof).
[0019] Outputs to the system can include, but are not limited to, a
visual display 4 and a speaker 13 or stereo system output. The
speaker is connected to an amplifier 11 and receives its signal
from the processor 3 through a digital-to-analog converter 9.
Output can also be made to a remote BLUETOOTH device such as
Personal Navigation Device (PND) 54 or a USB device such as vehicle
navigation device 60 along the bi-directional data streams shown at
19 and 21 respectively.
[0020] In one illustrative embodiment, the system 1 uses the
BLUETOOTH transceiver 15 to communicate 17 with a user's nomadic
device 53 (e.g., cell phone, smart phone, PDA, or any other device
having wireless remote network connectivity). The nomadic device
can then be used to communicate 59 with a network 61 outside the
vehicle 31 through, for example, communication 55 with a cellular
tower 57. In some embodiments, tower 57 may be a Wi-Fi access
point.
[0021] Exemplary communication between the nomadic device and the
BLUETOOTH transceiver is represented by signal 14.
[0022] Pairing a nomadic device 53 and the BLUETOOTH transceiver 15
can be instructed through a button 52 or similar input.
Accordingly, the CPU is instructed that the onboard BLUETOOTH
transceiver will be paired with a BLUETOOTH transceiver in a
nomadic device.
[0023] Data may be communicated between CPU 3 and network 61
utilizing, for example, a data-plan, data over voice, or DTMF tones
associated with nomadic device 53. Alternatively, it may be
desirable to include an onboard modem 63 having antenna 18 in order
to communicate 16 data between CPU 3 and network 61 over the voice
band. The nomadic device 53 can then be used to communicate 59 with
a network 61 outside the vehicle 31 through, for example,
communication 55 with a cellular tower 57. In some embodiments, the
modem 63 may establish communication 20 with the tower 57 for
communicating with network 61. As a non-limiting example, modem 63
may be a USB cellular modem and communication 20 may be cellular
communication.
[0024] In one illustrative embodiment, the processor is provided
with an operating system including an API to communicate with modem
application software. The modem application software may access an
embedded module or firmware on the BLUETOOTH transceiver to
complete wireless communication with a remote BLUETOOTH transceiver
(such as that found in a nomadic device). BLUETOOTH is a subset of
the IEEE 802 PAN (personal area network) protocols. IEEE 802 LAN
(local area network) protocols include Wi-Fi and have considerable
cross-functionality with IEEE 802 PAN. Both are suitable for
wireless communication within a vehicle. Another communication
means that can be used in this realm is free-space optical
communication (such as IrDA) and non-standardized consumer IR
protocols.
[0025] In another embodiment, nomadic device 53 includes a modem
for voice band or broadband data communication. In the
data-over-voice embodiment, a technique known as frequency division
multiplexing may be implemented when the owner of the nomadic
device can talk over the device while data is being transferred. At
other times, when the owner is not using the device, the data
transfer can use the whole bandwidth (300 Hz to 3.4 kHz in one
example). While frequency division multiplexing may be common for
analog cellular communication between the vehicle and the interact,
and is still used, it has been largely replaced by hybrids of Code
Domain Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Domain Multiple Access (TDMA),
Space-Domain Multiple Access (SDMA) for digital cellular
communication. If the user has a data-plan associated with the
nomadic device, it is possible that the data-plan allows for
broadband transmission and the system could use a much wider
bandwidth (speeding up data transfer), in another embodiment,
nomadic device 53 is replaced with a cellular communication device
(not shown) that is installed to vehicle 31. In yet another
embodiment, the ND 53 may be a wireless local area network (LAN)
device capable of communication over, for example (and without
limitation), an 802.11g network (i.e., Wi-Fi) or a WiMax
network.
[0026] In one embodiment, incoming data can be passed through the
nomadic device via a data-over-voice or data-plan, through the
onboard BLUETOOTH transceiver and into the vehicle's internal
processor 3. In the case of certain temporary data, for example,
the data can be stored on the HDD or other storage media 7 until
such time as the data is no longer needed.
[0027] Additional sources that may interface with the vehicle
include a personal navigation device 54, having, for example, a USB
connection 56 and/or an antenna 58, a vehicle navigation device 60
having a USB 62 or other connection, an onboard GPS device 24, or
remote navigation system (not shown) having connectivity to network
61. USB is one of a class of serial networking protocols. IEEE 1394
(FireWire.TM. (Apple). i.LINK.TM. (Sony), and Lynx.TM. (Texas
Instruments)), EIA (Electronics Industry Association) serial
protocols, IEEE 1284 (Centronics Port), S/PDIF (Sony/Philips
Digital Interconnect Format) and USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum)
form the backbone of the device-device serial standards. Most of
the protocols can be implemented for either electrical or optical
communication.
[0028] Further, the CPU could be in communication with a variety of
other auxiliary devices 65. These devices can be connected through
a wireless 67 or wired 69 connection. Auxiliary device 65 may
include, but are not limited to, personal media players, wireless
health devices, portable computers, and the like.
[0029] Also, or alternatively, the. CPU could be connected to a
vehicle based wireless router 73, using for example a Wi-Fi (IEEE
803.11) 71 transceiver. This could allow the CPU to connect to
remote networks in range of the local router 73.
[0030] In addition to having exemplary processes executed by a
vehicle computing system located in a vehicle, in certain
embodiments, the exemplary processes may be executed by a computing
system in communication with a vehicle computing system. Such a
system may include, but is not limited to, a wireless device (e.g.,
and without limitation, a mobile phone) or a remote computing
system. (e.g., and without limitation, a server) connected through
the wireless device. Collectively, such systems may be referred to
as vehicle associated computing systems (VACS). In certain
embodiments, particular components of the VACS may perform
particular portions of a process depending on the particular
implementation of the system. By way of example and not limitation,
if a process has a step of sending or receiving information with a
paired wireless device, then it is likely that the wireless device
is not performing that portion of the process, since the wireless
device would not "send and receive" information with itself. One of
ordinary skill in the art will understand when it is inappropriate
to apply a particular computing system to a given solution.
[0031] In each of the illustrative embodiments discussed herein, an
exemplary, non-limiting example of a process performable by a
computing system is shown. With respect to each process, it is
possible for the computing system executing the process to become,
for the limited purpose of executing the process, configured as a
special purpose processor to perform the process. All processes
need not be performed in their entirety, and are understood to be
examples of types of processes that may be performed to achieve
elements of the invention. Additional steps may be added or removed
from the exemplary processes as desired.
[0032] With respect to the illustrative embodiments described in
the figures showing illustrative process flows, it is noted that a
general purpose processor may be temporarily enabled as a special
purpose processor for the purpose of executing some or all of the
exemplary methods shown by these figures. When executing code
providing instructions to perform some or all steps of the method,
the processor may be temporarily repurposed as a special purpose
processor, until such time as the method is completed. In another
example, to the extent appropriate, firmware acting in accordance
with a preconfigured processor may cause the processor to act as a
special purpose processor provided for the purpose of performing
the method or some reasonable variation thereof.
[0033] The illustrative embodiments propose use of a valet control
tag, such as a small BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY (BLE) device that
provides sufficient functionality for the valet to find, access and
drive a vehicle, but which does not require the driver to turn over
a full set of keys and/or provide full vehicle functionality.
[0034] In the illustrative examples, a driver is provided with a
small-footprint BLE device that is similar to a key fob, or even
smaller. This device may affix to the vehicle in some manner, or
may be carried by the driver along with keys, and be easily
detachable for transfer to a valet. The device can also rest
disabled unless the driver places the vehicle into valet mode, at
which point the functionality of the BLE valet tag can be enabled
if the tag motion detection feature is enabled and the tag is in
motion. If the tag has motion-detection enabled, once the tag moves
the vehicle will recognize the tag if the driver has placed the
vehicle in valet mode. In some examples, the vehicle may always be
able to communicate with the tag, in motion or not, but elect to
take no action unless the tag is in motion and the vehicle is in
valet mode. Such continuous motioning of the ability to keep track
of the tag and advise the driver if the tag is not present on each
key-on or key-off event. This functionality can be used to mitigate
theft of the tag (ex., car wash, service event) and help ensure the
tag is returned by the valet should the vehicle recognize a
different valid key held by the driver or other passengers of the
vehicle when the valet presents them the vehicle therefore
resulting in no "key not found" alert since multiple keys would be
present,
[0035] FIG. 2 shows an illustrative process for tag request
handling. In this example, the driver enables a valet mode through
a mobile device or through a vehicle interface. The mode enablement
can be password protected, and the driver can selectively enable
and disable the mode. If multiple possible valet-controls exist in
conjunction with the valet tag, the driver could also selectively
enable or disable those controls at this point, to allow or prevent
certain aspects of the valet mode from being used. In other
examples, valet mode could be engaged whenever an active valet tag
was detected in a cabin, or if a valet tag was removed from a
persistent mount or otherwise moved in a manner not in accordance
with a moving vehicle to which the tag may be typically affixed.
Valet mode could be disengaged whenever an active key fob was
detected in a cabin and a button is pressed in the display.
[0036] Once valet mode is active, in this example, the process is
able to enact a welcome mode to identify the vehicle for a valet.
This can include, for example, illuminating vehicle lights and
otherwise visually and/or audibly identifying a vehicle so the
vehicle is discernible from a distance. This mode may also be used
in conjunction with the owner's key fob, but in this example, the
valet mode causes the welcome mode to be active for a user at a
distance further than a typical owner welcome mode would activate.
This can assist a valet in finding the vehicle in a crowded parking
lot.
[0037] Since the vehicle may be parked within a detectable range of
the valet stand (and thus the valet tag), the process determines
both whether 203 the valet tag is within a predefined distance
associated with the valet welcome mode and whether 215 the tag is
in motion. The motion of the tag can be detected by a change in tag
signal strength or based on motion sensors included with the tag,
the output of which can be sent to the vehicle by the tag.
[0038] If the tag is moving and within the range for a valet
welcome mode, the process can activate 217 the welcome mode,
causing the vehicle to be visually and/or audibly identifiable to
the valet. The welcome mode may persist for a fixed period, until
the tag moves out of range, until the tag stops moving for more
than a predetermined amount of time or until the tag enters a range
for passive unlock, far example.
[0039] Once the valet tag enters 219 a predefined unlock zone
range, the process enables passive unlock, which allows the valet
to unlock the vehicle by grasping the handle of the vehicle. This
function is similar to passive unlock on the basis of a vehicle fob
being present. Once the valet engages 221 the vehicle door handle,
the process can unlock the vehicle on the basis of the engagement
and presence of the valet tag. The process then determines 225
whether the valet tag has entered the vehicle cabin.
[0040] Again, the start functionality activates on the basis of the
tag being in the cabin in a manner similar to that of passive start
based on fob presence. If the valet presses 227 a start button on
the vehicle, the process engages 229 the vehicle engine. If there
is limited functionality associated with a valet-tag authenticated
start, the vehicle can also impose that functionality at this
time.
[0041] Tags can also broadcast or advertise the VIN to which they
correspond either periodically and/or in response to a particular
gesture with movement of the tag. This can allow both the object
vehicle (from which the tag came) and other vehicles using the tag
system to read the VIN and know the location of the tag and
participate in facilitating identification of the vehicle to which
the tag belongs should a tag be unintentionally left at the valet
service. Further, an application on a phone, for example, or a
valet device, could also receive the advertisement and provide a
description of the vehicle to which the tag corresponds. If used in
conjunction with a database, this signal from the tag could also
provide information about the vehicle beyond what is knowable from
the VIN.
[0042] If the tag is outside a welcome zone, certain movements with
the tag or other interactions with the tag could still cause the
vehicle to respond. If a request is made 205 with the tag (via
movement or otherwise), the vehicle may attempt to determine a
request and corresponding action, if the movement/action
corresponds to a chirp 207 request, the process may cause 209 the
vehicle horn to chirp. If the movement corresponds to a start 211
request, the process may remote start the vehicle (assuming such
features are enabled via the tag). The tag can be capable of
transmitting detected movement parameters and/or self-determining a
command associated with a movement parameter and simply
transmitting the command.
[0043] FIG. 3 shows an illustrative tag control process. In many
valet instances, the vehicles are parked in structures or lots that
are not immediately proximate to a valet stand. This can require
the valet to travel to a vehicle lot location and find a vehicle in
a large pool of vehicles. Since the valet has parked potentially
dozens of vehicles or more since parking a user vehicle, it can be
difficult for the valet to remember where a particular vehicle was
parked. While the welcome mode can assist in vehicle location, the
range is not limitless, and there are other reasons not to engage a
welcome mode until the user is closer to the vehicle. Accordingly,
in this example, the valet tag may be provided with additional
location-assistance functionality, including, for example,
sound-locating and/or remote start.
[0044] In this example, the tag may be a buttonless tag, but motion
sensors onboard the tag allow the tag to act as though it had
buttons, responsive to various gesture-based controls. For example,
pounding the tag into the palm of a hand could activate a chirp
function, and moving the tag in multiple circular motions could
activate a remote start function. The specific gestures are
illustrative in nature, provided to demonstrate how multiple
functions can be gesture controlled via a buttonless tag.
[0045] In this example, the process enables 303 function detection
once the tag is in motion 301. As the valet moves around, seeking
the vehicle, the tag can broadcast a signal detectable by the
vehicle. If the valet makes a gesture 307 that corresponds to a
chirp request, the process can send 309 a signal to the vehicle
instructing audible output, such as an alarm or horn chirp. In some
examples, tag may send multiple chirp commands in a row with each
gesture (e.g., continue at a slow rate such as once per second)
until the valet has grabbed the door handle.
[0046] Alternatively, if the valet makes a motion corresponding to
a remote start command 311, the process can send 313 a lock signal
to the vehicle and then send 315 a remote start signal. The lock
signal is not necessary, but may help ensure that the vehicle is
locked before the vehicle is remote started, even if drive-away may
not be possible in the absence of the close-proximity of a valet
tag or fob. Thus, the valet can use various gestures to quickly
locate a vehicle and/or start a vehicle while looking for the
vehicle.
[0047] Valet mode may also be disabled (until the next use) and/or
enabled through a gesture with the tag. In such an example, the
owner would presumably disable and enable the tag, and using the
tag to disable valet mode would help prevent the tag from being
left behind. Additionally or alternatively, at each key-on cycle,
or other periodic interval, the vehicle could seek the presence of
the tag, to ensure it had not been removed or left behind. It is
even possible for the vehicle to store the last location where a
tag responded, so that any point where the tag does not respond,
the vehicle can inform an owner about where the tag was last
detected (location-wise).
[0048] FIG. 4A shows an illustrative tag tracking process. In this
example, the process, in conjunction with a user mobile device, for
example, is capable of tracking the progress of a valet through
tracking the valet tag motion. This may require a signal from the
tag that includes both a measurable strength and directionality, or
directionality may be determined through triangulation of the tag
signal.
[0049] In this example, the vehicle receives 401 a signal from the
tag, which may also be transmitted when the tag is in motion, but
not when the tag is at rest. This can avoid wearing down the tag or
vehicle battery if the tag is in detectable range of the vehicle
while at a valet stand. The vehicle uses the tag signal to
determine 403 the distance to the tag (through a process such as
received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurement or other
suitable method) and the heading to the tag, which allows the
vehicle to determine a position of the tag relative to a known
vehicle location. The vehicle then sends 405 the location of the
tag (and possibly the location of the vehicle) to a driver mobile
device or other device. The vehicle could also send the tag data to
determine the relative position of the tag to the mobile device,
and the mobile device could perform the calculation of tag
location, if desired.
[0050] One useful aspect of this concept is that because the tag
may be small and portable, the driver could place the tag in a
purse, on a pet or child, or on another object for tracking, and
the vehicle could track the object's location based on tracking the
tag. This could let a driver know if a purse, child or pet had left
the vehicle, and an alert could be sit based on the tag leaving a
certain proximity of the vehicle if this sort of tracking were
desired. The alert could be issued by the vehicle as an audible or
visual alert, and/or be sent by the vehicle to a driver phone.
[0051] FIG. 4B shows an illustrative tag tracking display process.
In this example, the driver device receives 411 the information
from the vehicle indicating the vehicle position. The device also
receives information indicating the position of the tag or the
position of the tag relative to the vehicle location. The device
can then use this information in conjunction with a digital map to
display the motion and progress of the valet tag as the valet moves
towards the vehicle.
[0052] FIG. 5 shows an illustrative valet mode adjustment process.
In this example, the vehicle is provided with a driver welcome
mode, which may activate when a driver moves within a certain
proximity to the vehicle (e.g., 3 feet). This mode may include
illuminating the area outside one or more doors, enabling vehicle
interior lights, flashing or enabling vehicle exterior lights,
etc.
[0053] In this example, once the driver engages 501 a valet mode,
the vehicle makes several changes to functionality. The vehicle
enables 503 communication with a detected valet tag, which
essentially works to enable the tag for usage. The vehicle may also
adjust the proximity associated with the welcome mode to a larger
perimeter (e.g. 30 feet), which can assist the valet in finding the
vehicle in a dark parking lot,
[0054] FIG. 6 shows an illustrative vehicle-location process. In
this example, the process determines 601 that a valet mode has been
activated for a vehicle. Since the tag will presumably be in
detectable communication range at this point, as the driver is
likely carrying the tag or the tag is elsewhere in the vehicle, it
may not be desirable to activate features such as "welcome mode"
based on the presence of the tag, until certain measures have
determined that the tag is actually in the possession of the valet
and the valet is actually seeking, not parking, the vehicle. This
cycle can occur following an ignition event or other suitable
designator of a key cycle.
[0055] In this example, the process waits until the process
determines that the vehicle is both locked 603 and the engine is
disengaged 605. This is one example of an initial determination
that a vehicle has actually been parked, and is not simply sitting
at a building entrance waiting for a valet to park the vehicle.
Since users may stop, lock and exit their vehicle if a long valet
line is present, the process occurring each ignition cycle still
allows the process to occur after the valet restarts, drives, parks
and locks the vehicle.
[0056] If the vehicle detects the tag 607, the vehicle also
determines if the tag has ceased motion 609, possibly for more than
a predetermined period of time. This tends to indicate that the tag
is present and that the tag has been resting in a valet stand, as
opposed to an owner pocket while waiting for a valet. If the tag is
out of detectable range, the cease-motion detection may be stored
internally on the tag and indicated to the vehicle once the tag is
in detectable range. That is, the tag self-determines that it has
ceased motion for a period of time, and informs the vehicle of this
fact once the vehicle detects the tag, since the tag will
presumably be moving with the valet, and not at rest, at this point
in time.
[0057] After the tag has been resting for more than the
predetermined period of time (which could be as short as desired),
the process determines 611 if the tag is currently in motion. This
determination helps address the situation where the vehicle is
parked within range of the tag, so that false welcome modes are not
activated based on vehicle-proximity to a valet stand.
[0058] If the tag is moving, following the tag having been
stationary, the process determines 613 if the tag is within a
predefined welcome mode range. This can be less than the detectable
range of the tag signal, and if the tag is within range, the
vehicle then determines 615 if a welcome mode has already been
performed for this current key cycle. This last determination
prevents the vehicle from activating welcome modes if the valet is
constantly traveling to the vehicle lot with the driver key in the
valet's pocket. While this may result in the welcome mode not being
performed when the valet is actually looking for the vehicle, other
fob functionality such as the gesture controls can still allow the
valet to find the vehicle, and this can prevent overtaxing a
vehicle battery by constant welcome mode activation every time the
valet passes within welcome mode range of the vehicle while
carrying the tag.
[0059] If the welcome mode has not been performed for this key
cycle, the process engages 617 a welcome mode event and logs 619
the occurrence of the event. It is also worth noting that the
welcome mode could be engaged once per time cycle, as opposed to
key cycle, as an suitable and illustrative example of how there are
alternative ways to control welcome mode activation if desired.
[0060] The illustrative embodiments provide examples of how a small
form valet tag can be provided and enabled for vehicle valet
events, allowing the owner to retain key fob possession while
allowing the valet to easily locate, access and drive a
vehicle.
[0061] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not
intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the
invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of
description rather than limitation, and it is understood that
various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various
implementing embodiments may be combined in logical manners to
produce situationally suitable variations of embodiments described
herein.
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